Laser-induced changes in the gene expression, growth and development of Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. "White Prosperity".

Corms of Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. "White Prosperity" was irradiated via red laser at wavelength 635 nm. Various morphological, flowering, elemental and chemical characterizations were studied. Irradiation with different power (5, 20, and 50 mW) and various irradiation time (0.0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 10 min) was studied. Several characters), totaletermined include vegetative growth parameter (spouting days, plant height (cm), leaves number, leaves fresh and dry weights (g/plant), diameter of plant middle part (mm) and leaf area (cm2), floral parameters (flowering days, vase life (day), fresh and dry weights of inflorescence (g/plant), number of flowers per inflorescence, inflorescence length(cm), flowers diameter(cm), number of corms per plant, corms fresh weight(g/plant), circumference/ corms), pigments [total chlorophylls in leaves (SPAD), anthocyanin content (mg/100 g F.W.) in petals], NPK (%) in new corms and chemical composition in corms; total carbohydrates (%),total phenol (µg CE/g (%),total flavonoid (µg CE/g) (%), antioxidant (DPPH IC50 (µg /ml (%), and proline content (µ moles/g). The results showed that the medium level (20 mW) of He-Ne laser at 5 min caused favorable changes in the leaf anatomical structures and other studied characters followed by the low level (5 mW) of He-Ne laser at 5min. 112 bands emerged from 22 SSR primers, ranging between 130 and 540 bp, with 32 bands having polymorphism ranging from 17-100%. Out of the 22 SSR primers, 3 primers exhibited a high polymorphism percentage, i.e., SSR6, SSR16 and SSR22 which exhibited 7 positive markers. These findings revealed the efficiency of SSR primers for differentiating gladiolus plants and revealed that some alleles were affected by laser in their corms and the expression resulted in color or abnormalities in leaves and/or flowers. Mutation in some alleles could result in abnormalities like mutation in the allele with 410 bp revealed by SSR16.

Synthesis, structure, oxygen stoichiometry, and electrical properties of doped ruddlesden-popper strontium cobaltite Sr1·875Ce0·025CoO4-δ, Sr1·875Ce0·025Co0·75Ni0·25O4+δ novel compounds.

We report the synthesis of Sr1·875Ce0·025CoO4-δ and Sr1·875Ce0·025Co0·75Ni0·25O4+δ for the first time, each compound was synthesised using Co-precipitation and Sol-Gel methods, at 1050 °C for 144 and 120 h respectively. Oxygen stoichiometry was determined using Iodometric titration, we have noticed oxygen hypostoichiometry for Ce-doped compound and hyperstoichiometry state after Ni-doping. Electrical properties were studied for sintered pellets, Electrical resistance was measured in the range (-0.5-+0.5 v). Specific electrical resistivity and electrical conductivity were calculated from resistance measurements. It was found that the Ce-doped compound has about three times higher conductivity (σC1 = 0.000000058423295 s cm-1) Compared with the Ni-doped one (σN2 = 0.000000022384787 s cm-1). Electrical Capacitance was measured at 1 kHz frequency, the relative dielectric constant εr, and the loss tangent tanδ were calculated accordingly. The results showed that the Ni-doped compound has higher capacitance but lower εr and dissipation factor values.

Association of Interleukin 13 rs20541 Gene Polymorphism and Serum Periostin with Asthma and Allergic Conjunctivitis Among Egyptian Patients.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 13 (IL13) gene are associated with vulnerability to allergic diseases, such as asthma and allergic conjunctivitis (AC). Periostin, as an IL13-induced protein, has emerged as a novel biomarker in several allergic diseases. Data among Egyptian patients are still scarce. Aim: To find out the association of IL13 rs20541 gene polymorphism and serum levels of periostin with asthma and AC among Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: Eighty-one Egyptian allergic patients with asthma, AC, and both asthma and AC (27 each), were enrolled in this case-control study. Twenty-seven age and gender-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. All participants were tested for IL13 rs20541 SNP by real-time polymerase chain reaction, TaqMan method. Serum levels of periostin and IL13 were assessed by ELISA. Results: Compared to healthy subjects, asthmatic patients had a higher frequency of the homozygous adenine/adenine (AA) genotype at IL13 rs20541 SNP (14.8% vs 3.7%) and a lower frequency of the guanosine/guanosine (GG) genotype (51.9% vs 55.6%), while AC patients had higher GG genotype (70.4% vs 55.6%) with no AA genotype detected, yet no significant difference was noticed (p = 7.053). A significantly higher serum periostin in asthmatic patients compared to controls was found (p = 0.005). Higher levels of serum periostin, although nonsignificant, were recorded in AC patients compared to controls (22.88 ± 10.01ng/mL and 17.51 ± 3.17ng/mL, respectively). Periostin was significantly higher in patients with IL13 AA and GA genotypes compared to those with GG genotype (p = 0.016). A significant positive correlation between serum periostin and serum IL13 among allergic patients was recorded (r = 0.352, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Among Egyptian patients, serum level of periostin is significantly associated with asthma and positively correlates with IL13 level supporting its utility as a diagnostic biomarker. IL13 rs20541 gene polymorphism does not seem to play an obvious role in asthma and AC, which requires further evaluation.

Antitumor and Protective Activity of TVLE against CdCl2-Induced Renal Damage in Rats.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Cadmium is a heavy metal that has a wide range of applications in human existence. Cadmium may bind to the protein metallothionein and decrease kidney function once it enters the body. The purpose of this study was to investigate the renal protective activity of TVLE against CdCl₂-induced renal toxicity in rats. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> TVLE was prepared and characterized using instrumental analysis and spectral data. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ of TVLE against the Vero renal carcinoma cell line was calculated. Adult albino rats were used to assess the renal protective activity of TVLE (150 and 300 mg kg¹ b.wt.) in CdCl₂-treated rats. <b>Results:</b> IC₅₀of TVLE against Vero cell line equals 148.25 µg mL¹. The daily oral administration of TVLE at concentrations of 150 and 300 mg kg¹ b.wt. for 21 days to CdCl₂-treated rates resulted in a significant improvement in tumour volume and tumour weight, urea, creatinine, uric acid, TNF-α, NOx, TBARs, GSH, CAT, SOD, GPx and VEGF-C gene expression in CdCl₂-treated rats. Furthermore, TVLE almost normalized these effects in renal histoarchitecture. <b>Conclusion:</b> The biochemical, histological and MRI examinations of the current study suggested that TVLE have renal protective activity against CdCl₂-induced renal toxicity in rats.

Innovative application of helium-neon laser: enhancing the germination of Adansonia digitata and evaluating the hepatoprotective activities in mice.

The laser pretreatment of seed is drawing pronounced attention from the scientific community for its positive impact in boosting germination, seedling , and growth of plants. In this study, the laser pretreatment of Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) seeds was evaluated. Eight laser treatments were conducted at different powers, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mW, with the two-time interval for each power at 2 and 4 min. The outcomes indicated that the most efficient irradiation was 10 mW/2 min which induces the highest germination rate and polyphenolic contents for seeds. Based on these results, the animal experimental design was processed to assess the hepatoprotective activity of A. digitata extracts obtained through the optimum laser preillumination to enhance the resistance of liver damage in mice. The total phenol and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant properties of the methanolic extracts were estimated in vitro. The CCl4 was used to induce hepatotoxicity in mice. The animals were divided into five groups. The sera of the treated animals were used for the determination of transaminases, and the liver homogenates were used for the determination of antioxidant status, and further liver tissues were subjected to verify the anti-apoptotic effect of A. digitata methanolic extract. The in vivo results showed that the methanolic extract exposed to laser treatment at 10 mW/2 min provided better hepatoprotective capacity than the other treatments. Administration of A. digitata extract not only offered a significant decrease in liver enzyme activity but also markedly improved the antioxidant status and reduced the apoptotic progression induced by CCl4 toxicity in liver tissue.

Community readiness in the Syrian refugee community in Jordan: A rapid ecological assessment tool to build psychosocial service capacity.

The knowledge of Syrian psychosocial activists in displaced communities is an invaluable resource for developing an ecological understanding of community needs and attitudes. This may elucidate the structural challenges of displacement to be addressed in psychosocial interventions. During Phase 1 of the study, we employed the community readiness model-a tool to assess community climate, needs, and resources-to determine community capacity-building needs. Eight Syrian key informants were interviewed in Amman, Jordan (December 2013 to January 2014). Community readiness scores were calculated. Thematic analysis explored community identified needs. During Phase 2, a focus group was conducted with 11 local psychosocial workers in Amman (September 2016) employing Phase 1 findings to develop a local capacity-building intervention. For the Phase 1 results, community attitudes toward mental health were reported to be rapidly changing. However, continued stigma, lack of knowledge of service availability, and insufficient number of services were noted as barriers to care. Sense of civic engagement and cultural knowledge of local psychosocial actors were noted as significant strengths. However, lack of access to work rights and technical supervision were identified as contributing to burnout, undermining the sustainability of local, grassroots initiatives. A need for training in clinical interventions, along with ongoing supervision, was identified. For the Phase 2 results, local psychologists elected to receive training in culturally adapted cognitive behavior therapy and operational capacity building. The cultural and contextual knowledge of Syrian community members are invaluable. Unfortunately, failure to provide these professionals with basic work rights and technical support have undermined the sustainability of their endeavors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Creep, Hardness, and Elastic Modulus of Lingual Fixed Retainers Adhesives.

The aims of this study were twofold: a) to characterize a wide array of time-independent and -dependent properties and b) to find possible correlations among the properties tested. Seven commercially available orthodontic adhesives were included in this study and ten cylindrical specimens were prepared from each material. Five specimens from each material were used for the characterization of Martens Hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), and elastic index (ηIT), and the remaining five for the determination of indentation creep (CIT). Al the aforementioned properties were identified by employing an Instrumented Indentations Testing (IIT) device with a Vickers indenter. The results of HM, EIT, ηIT, and CIT were statistically analyzed by one way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test, while the possible correlations among the aforementioned properties were determined by Spearman correlation test. Statistical significant differences were identified for all properties among the materials tested. Spearman correlation reveals that HM has a positive correlation with EIT. Both properties demonstrated a negative correlation with ηIT and CIT, while no correlation was identified between ηIT and CIT. Significant differences in the mechanical properties tested may also imply differences in their clinical behavior and efficacy.

Annexin-1 as a salivary biomarker for gingivitis during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that there is higher susceptibility to gingival inflammation during pregnancy. Annexin-1 (ANXA1) is an anti-inflammatory protein which has been identified in gingival tissue exudates by discovery proteomics. This cross-sectional case-control study investigated the levels and association of ANXA1 and pro-inflammatory mediator interleukin (IL)-1ß in the saliva of pregnant and non-pregnant women. METHODS: Whole unstimulated saliva from 69 non-pregnant and 78 pregnant women was collected prior to measurement of probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque. Then, the women were split into 3 subgroups depending on their periodontal status (healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis). The levels of ANXA1 and IL-1ß were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reported as pg/mg after normalizing against the total protein levels. RESULTS: Significantly higher ANXA1 levels were exhibited in pregnant women with gingivitis compared with health (P < 0.05) and in pregnant women with gingivitis compared with the respective non-pregnant group (P < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher level of IL-1ß in gingivitis than in health in pregnant women (P < 0.05) and significantly higher levels in periodontitis compared with health in non-pregnant women (P < 0.05). Looking at the IL-1 ß:ANXA1 ratio, the non-pregnant periodontitis group displayed a significantly higher ratio compared with the respective pregnant group (P < 0.05). In the non-pregnant subpopulation, the ratio was significantly higher in periodontitis compared with health (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Salivary ANXA1 levels are elevated in the presence of gingivitis only in pregnant, but not non-pregnant women, rendering this molecule as a potential salivary biomarker for non-invasive early screening for gingival inflammation during pregnancy.

Electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy study of Nd 1-x Sr x CoO 3-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) system.

A solid solution of Nd 1-x Sr x CoO 3-δ (with x=0, 1/3, 2/3, and 1) has been prepared and characterized by a combination of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). The structural characterization indicates that Nd-doped materials present an orthorhombic symmetry with a=√2xa p, b=√2xa p, and c=2xa p (a p refers to lattice parameter of simple cubic perovskite), while SrCoO2.5 has an orthorhombic symmetry with a=√2xa p, b=4xa p, and c=√2xa p. EELS analysis revealed that Co are in 3+ oxidation states but in different spin configurations.